326 BJTOHIMf. [chap, xxjt 



where a low istlimus connect'? the northern and southern 

 raountainous parts of the island. To the south is a fine 

 range of mountains, and I had noticed at several of our 

 landing-places that the geological formation of the island 

 was veiy differeut from those aronnd it Whenever roek 

 wa.s visible it was either sandstone in thin layers, dipping 

 south, or a pebbly cooglomerata Sometimes tliere was 

 a Uttle coraUine limestone, but no volcanic rocka. The 

 forest had a dense luxuriance and loftiness seldom found 

 on the dry and porous lavas and raised coral reefs of 

 Temate and Gilolo ; and hoping for a coiTesponding rich- 

 ness in the Inrds and insects, it wag with much satisfaction 

 and with considerable expectation that I began my explo- 

 rations in the hitherto unknown island of Batchiaa 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



BATCHIOf, 



(ocrroBEfi IB5$ to afail 1359.) 



ILAOT)ED opposite the house kept for the use of the 

 Kesident of Temate, and was met by a respectable 

 middle- aged Malay, who told me he was Secretary to 

 the Sultan, and would receive the official letter with which 

 I had been provided. On giving it Iiim, he at once in- 

 formed me I might have the use of the official residence 

 which was empty. I soon got my things on shore, but on 

 looking about ine found that the house would never do to 

 stay long in. There was no water except at a considerable 

 distance, and one of my men would be almost entirely 

 occupied getting water and firewood, and I should myself 

 have to walk all through the village every day to the 

 forest, and live almost in public, a thing I much dislike. 

 The rooms were all boarded, and had ceilings, which are a 

 great nuisance, as there are no means of hanging anything 

 up except by driving nails, and not half the convenienct s 

 of a native bamboo and thatch cottage. I accordingly 



